Wordworthy

By Al Horn

This isn't what I expected. I came to learn. I came to be taught. I came on my only free night. THIS is Wordworthy 101?

I had entered a large room void of chairs and full of middle-aged men and women. Most of these people were leaning against the walls reading crib notes as if they were preparing for their first quiz. Had I missed something? My syllabus clearly stated that this was to be the first night of class. What did these people know that I didn't?

There was nothing unusual about them except for one man in the far corner of the room. He was taller than the rest, but didn't tower over everyone. He had rugged features that made him stand out from most of the men in the room. If you had to describe him to another person, his broad shoulders and large feet would best define his appearance. To me, he came off as wall-strong and brick-shod.

Before I could survey the rest of the room, a man came in and said, "Okay, give me a line of men on one side of the room and a line of women on the other side." He paused as his eyes came to me. He pointed at me and asked, "Wordworthy 101?" I nodded my head, dumbfounded. "Upstairs, one floor," he told me.

I sighed with relief and headed for the door. I heard him say as I was leaving, "Okay folks, we will now begin readings for the Bride of Frankenstein."